So do tensions between countries supporting opposite sides
On May 1, 2019, the Russian Embassy in Canada, via its Twitter account, accused Canada, together with the USA, of encouraging coup and regime change in Venezuela.
The tweet didn’t have any further details on what was exactly meant by this encouragement. A link to a Sputnik article attached to that message mentioned Canada only once in connection with Juan Guaido’s recognition in a capacity of Venezuela’s interim president. The article itself was devoted to a telephone call between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
encouraging coup & regime change in #Venezuela,
openly threatening military intervention.
Law of the jungle and banditry in broad daylight that could have grave consequences.
They will not pass. #NoPasaran!
https://t.co/WXP7lZg9Pg pic.twitter.com/vBg6MvDiCc— Russia in Canada (@RussianEmbassyC) May 1, 2019
Canada has been a member of the Lima Group created to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela since its establishment on August 8, 2017. On February 4, 2019, eleven members of the group (namely, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru) signed a declaration of recognition and support for Guaido. An emergency meeting of the Lima Group is called for May 3, 2019, as the crisis in Venezuela escalates. On these grounds, the Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland quoted by the Global Affairs Canada considers that “now is the time for Nicolas Maduro to step aside and allow for a peaceful end to this crisis.”
